Entries by Byron Spires

Being aware of Molly!
Law enforcement agencies from across the county gathered Thursday afternoon on the county courthouse lawn to talk about the new drug “Molly.”

Jim Corder sentenced to 30 months in prison
Former Gadsden County Sheriff’s Captain Jim Corder has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison followed by one year of controlled supervision.

County issued good audit report
Gadsden County has received another good audit.

Furlough case heard in District Court of Appeals
A hearing was held Monday afternoon in front of a three-judge panel at the Florida First District Court of Appeals to determine the fate of Sheriff Morris Young’s furlough case.

FIRE! At Havana Heights Apts.
Several apartments were severely damaged by the fire, smoke and water.

SPORTS

Bobcats take 14-8 record into final week
The Robert F. Munroe baseball team split a pair of one-run games last week, losing to Maclay 3-2 Tuesday before nudging Aucilla 9-8 on Friday.

Lady Jags win 2nd game, Munroe struggles
East Gadsden picked up their 2nd win of the season with an impressive ten-run rule victory over Rickards.

Deputy School Superintendent Rosalyn W. Smith, a 42-year veteran of the Gadsden County School District, will be honored Friday night by the Florida A&M University’s College of Education. Smith will receive the FAMU Gallery of Distinction Award.
[Full Story »]

Former Gadsden County Sheriff’s Captain Jim Corder has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison followed by one year of controlled supervision.
Corder was in court for sentencing under US Federal Judge Mark Walker who after hearing several hours of arguments from both the federal prosecuting attorney and defense attorney pronounced his sentence.
Like the state court system, prison time is graded based on the offense and background of the person convicted.
Judge Walker went beyond the recommended guidelines of 15 to 21 months for Corder when he gave him the 30 months.
Corder’s conviction was for violating the civil rights of an arrestee (1 count), obstruction of justice (1 count), and making false statements in a federal investigation (3 counts).
Those charges carried up to 26 years in prison.
The following is a statement from Gadsden County Sheriff Morris A. Young: “From the inception of this case our office worked to facilitate a thorough and fair investigation of the facts. As sheriff, I hold those within my administration to high standards and now that the judicial process has been completed we will continue to move forward as an organization accountable to a community.”
There will be more on this sentencing in the April 16 issue of The Herald.

Jeffrie Brett Swisher, 33, of Cottonwood, AL, passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2015.
Brett was a native of Tallahassee and moved to Cottonwood with his mother when he was eight years old. He graduated from Cottonwood High School in 2000. After graduation, he worked with the Wiregrass Rehab Center until becoming a full-time employee with Baxley Blowpipe Company, where he worked for 12 years. He was currently employed by Fieldcrest Apartments in Dothan. He was a dedicated member of Boy Scout Troop 8 Woodlore Camping School since 1991. Brett was an Eagle Scout and avid Seminoles fan. He enjoyed fishing, going to the beach and spending time with his family.
Survivors include his mother, Alice Carole Swisher of Cottonwood; sister, Michelle Hartley (Jimmy) of Tallahassee; nephews, Jack Leggett and Tyler Hartley of Tallahassee; niece, Shelby Hartley of Tallahassee; brother, Carl Swisher (Tammy) of Cottonwood along with several other nieces, nephews, family members and close family friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Jeffrie Swisher.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 4, at Concord Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Brett Swisher Foundation c/o Wells Fargo Bank.
Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (www.bevisfh.com, 850-385-2193) is assisting the family with their arrangements.

Nonnie Zeigler died at home in Havana on March 29, 2015. She was born October 17, 1922 outside Havana, Florida to John Thomas Elkins and Annie Lou Ferrell Vickers Elkins. Raised in and around Havana, she graduated from Florida State College for Women with a double-major in English and Spanish, and for many years was a teacher and administrator.
Shortly after World War II she met and married Leslie Hugh Zeigler, who predeceased her after 63 years of marriage. Nonnie is survived by her three children, Ann Zeigler Smith, Carlyn Zeigler Pfouts and Paul Zeigler; her daughter-in-law, Jessica Zeigler; her son-in-law, Rob Pfouts; her four grandchildren, Jordan Smith and Jackson, William and Mattie Zeigler; and her brother and sister, John Thomas Elkins, Jr. and Marjorie Elkins Underhill.
Services will be Thursday, April 2 at 11:00 a.m. at the Havana First Baptist Church. The family will receive visitors at Bevis Funeral Home, 2710 N. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 1. Todd Wahlquist With Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements, 850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com